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Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic and carcinogenic metabolite secreted in milk of dairy animals which have consumed the aflatoxin B1 contaminated feedstuff. In this study, 230 different types of milk samples comprising raw, pasteurized and ultra-high temperature treated milk were collected from three different geographical sites of Punjab during different seasons and analysed for the presence of AFM1 by using ELISA as screening, and HPLC with fluorescence detection as confirmatory method. Of total, 51% samples were detected positive for AFM1, while 45% and 38% samples were found with AFM1 levels higher than the tolerance limits established by the European commission and Food safety and standard authority of India respectively. Results of study indicated a high incidence and levels of AFM1 in different types of milk during all seasons. Owing to this, there is a potential risk of liver cancer in people of Punjab, India especially children due to milk consumption. Therefore, strict regulatory actions are urgently required to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal standard limits. There is need to initiate routine examination of dairy animal feeds for aflatoxins to reduce animal and consequently human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic metabolite found in the milk of lactating animals which have consumed feedstuffs contaminated with aflatoxin B1. Ultra high temperature treated (UHT) milk is a product which is becoming popular in developing countries like India as there is a lack of proper cold storage or refrigeration facilities. In this study, 45 samples of UHT milk of popular brands prevalent in the market were analyzed for the presence of AFM1 by reversed phase HPLC using fluorescent detector after cleanup of sample with immunoaffinity columns. All samples of plain UHT milk were positive for AFM1 and 38% of these contained levels more than 0.5μg/kg, the maximum permitted limit prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and by the mandatory regulations of the country, the FSSAI Regulations, 2011. In 62.5% of flavored UHT milk, AFM1 was below detectable levels (0.02μgL−1). However, 12.5% of these samples also contained levels exceeding the maximum permitted limits. AFM1 was present in 61.6% of the 52 raw milk samples analyzed from the two states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu with a range of 0.1–3.8μgL−1. 17.3% of these samples also exceeded the regulatory limits of the country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]